GX470 killing rear left shock

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Jan 17, 2021
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Location
Long Beach, CA
Hi everyone,
This is my first post in hope to work out my first major issue/annoyance that has come up with my GX. And, i can’t seem to find anything from searching that might help.

My rear driver shock keeps failing. 3rd time and this time it was within 300miles of road only driving. It happened the first time on Eibach shocks after lifting rear from 2”-3” using Dobinsons dual rate springs (c59-701v).
I figured it might just be the shock so i purchased the Elka 2.5dc shocks all around. They were amazing Offroad and driven with enjoyment Offroad but nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. Then i realized the same rear shock had failed with the Elka’s.
i sent it back to Elka and they repaired it.

In the mean time i replaced all the rear control arms to Icon tubular and the panhard too, i also have a PCK welded on before installing the icon kit. Was very sure bushings had worn so decided to “do it properly” and replace everything.

Both times the shock failed it was on the top hole for the 3” lift.
After carefully installing the shock after it was repaired, knowing that the control arms/bushings weren’t a factor, i set the panhard on the second eyelet. And torqued everything up only once the truck was on the floor again. Test drove and everything felt perfect.
Headed out on a trip to the Lost Cost from Bay Area and whilst driving through the twisty turns i realized the same shock had failed.

There is no oil leaks on the shock, and their never was the previous times. The only way to tell is by driving it. It is planted and stable turning left, as the right rear shock works. If i turn right, the truck rolls heavily as the shock isn’t damping the movement. It also just wallows through the travel and, any slight off camber to the left is terrifying as the truck just keeps leaning. Camber to the right is barely noticeable.
One more thing to add is this did t happen with iron man basic shocks. I used these when waiting 8weeks for Elka to service the shock, i towed the biggest uhaul trailer

Has anyone else had a similar issue or know of anything else i should try?
 
I missed off the last bit so I’ll finish it here:

One more thing to add is this did t happen with iron man basic shocks. I used these when waiting 8weeks for Elka to service the shock, i towed the biggest uhaul trailer over 500 miles and had no issue other than they were just generally too lightly damped. But they did work equally.
 
What is the condition of the bump stop?
Shocks usually broken due to over extension or bottom out.
 
What is the condition of the bump stop?
Shocks usually broken due to over extension or bottom out.
Ive had the extended durobumps on so no issues on bottom out. And i don’t believe over extension has been an issue but can’t rule that out.
 
It could be an issue with the tire/wheel or maybe a bad wheel bearing on that corner. If you have an out of round or unbalanced tire, that can cause the shock attached to that corner to wear rather quickly.


tires that are out of round usually wear in a chopped manner and can ruin your shock absorbers or MacPherson struts
 
It could be an issue with the tire/wheel or maybe a bad wheel bearing on that corner. If you have an out of round or unbalanced tire, that can cause the shock attached to that corner to wear rather quickly.

Thanks for the additional thought to this @KJ6IRM. I have finally worked out what the issue is.

As it turns out, the Elka rear shock is only meant to be for 2" lifts. Despite the product listing not specifying it anywhere. https://www.elkasuspension.com/prod...09-non-kdss-2-in-to-3-in-lift/?c=72e1ba2726d6
I also provided all my component spec such as the rear coil I have when ordering and they never said otherwise. I had believed the shock was "custom tuned" for my setup. But based on the Elka team missing that I have a 3" lift coil, I'm not sure that was the case.

In any case, anyone else wanting to go the Elka 2.5DC route on the GX, know that it's only for 2" lift rear, and up to 3" front. So you can save yourself months and months of frustration and issues like me. Whilst it was working, this suspension is incredibly confidence inspiring, stable and supple (should you find the right balance on the hi/low speed compression adjust. I'm excited to get the Elka shock repaired and back on the trails. Also thought I'd attach an image of it next to the Eibach shock for comparison. Nothing wrong with the Eibach shock at all, but the Elka's still look sweet.

IMG_4278.webp
 

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